The Grizzlies took advantage of Devin Booker’s absence to jump at the Suns’ throats. Dominating on the offensive rebound and in the key, Memphis started the game 32-10, angering Monty Williams.
If both teams are clumsy, the pair Steven Adams – Brandon Clarke continues to give their team second chances. The gap reached 28 points before Mikal Bridges limited the breakage (59-38).
Back from the locker room, the Grizzlies add a layer. Ja Morant, clumsy, still put on a show by going to the dunk and sending his teammates to the alley-hoop (97-69). Suns fans don’t even wait until the end of the third quarter to leave the room. After their loss in Denver, the Grizzlies regained their identity and the victory.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 14 offensive rebounds in the first half for Memphis. Renowned for their athleticism, the Grizzlies were no exception to the rule tonight. Behind Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, they grabbed the rebound and stormed the Suns’ racket. They scored 40 of their 59 points there in the first half, against only 16 for their opponent, with one point for each offensive rebound!
– The Suns overshadowed by Memphis’ aggressive defense. Dillon Brooks was eager to defend on Devin Booker, but in Booker’s absence, the Grizzly turned their attention to Chris Paul to set the tone for the game. With CP3 harassed by Brooks, the Suns struggled to organize their game and find rhythm. And without Devin Booker, no one could make a one-on-one difference. The Grizzlies scored 22 of Phoenix’s 15 on-the-ball losses and the Suns didn’t go past 25 percent address by far.
– Desmond Bane returns. Absent since November 11 due to a toe injury, the back of the Grizzlies found his partners this night. He had started the season with a bang but struggled to find his rhythm for his first game in 40 days. It was the first time this season that Taylor Jenkins was able to field his true major five.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jaren Jackson Jr.. Dominating on both sides of the field, the interior of the Grizzlies wandered throughout the evening to finish with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
✅ Brandon Clarke-Steven Adams. Between them, they took one more offensive rebound (12) than the entire Phoenix team (11). Brandon Clarke also added 24 points.
✅ Dillon Brooks. It was he who put Memphis into orbit with his intensity and aggressiveness. He scored 10 of his 16 points in the first quarter.
✅ ⛔ Ja Morant. The Grizzlies leader lacked success (12 points at 4/14 on shots) but still weighed on the game by delivering 11 assists.
⛔ Mikal Bridges – Landry Shamet. The two players did not know how to respond in the present in the absence of Devin Booker. Stuck in the Memphis defense, they finished the game at 8/23 on cumulative shots.
THE FOLLOWING
Phoenix (19-14) : the Suns receive the Nuggets for Christmas.
Memphis (20-11): The Grizzlies travel to Chase Center this Christmas, to face the Warriors for the first time since their loss in the conference semifinals.
